Ready for Future AR/AI Applications
FLIR Systems announced the release of its Star SAFIRE 380X hardware, firmware and software upgrade on 15 June. The upgrade supports advanced image-aiding features for the company’s Star SAFIRE gimbal systems, including the Star SAFIRE 380-HD and 380-HDc.
FLIR Star SAFIRE systems are fielded on fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, used for a wide range of military, search and rescue, border/coastal surveillance and airborne law enforcement applications. The all-encompassing 380X upgrade reduces operator workload for faster, smarter decision support. It features customizable configurations for multi-tile video management and visual user interface, as well as touchscreen and streaming tablet support.
The new 380X technology provides operators with:
- Better Clarity: Operators can see more details with the 380X’s de-scintillation filter that removes atmospheric effects to reveal fine details otherwise hard to detect;
- Multiple Video Management: This feature allows operators to view multiple video sources simultaneously, including all camera payloads, plus external video input;
- New User Interface: Operators can now navigate menus with customizable icon-based graphics to expedite inputs when needed;
- Improved Targeting: The upgrade’s Moving Target Indicator (MTI) helps identify threats earlier and more definitively. Future enhancements include augmented reality (AR) overlays to identify friendly positions and ‘no fire’/’restricted fire’ areas.
- Augmented Reality (coming Q2/2021): Future AR mapping overlays will improve situational awareness, depicting missions in the live environment, increasing user understanding and expediting better, smarter decisions.
“This innovative 380X upgrade introduces technology enhancements that reduce cognitive load and will harness the full potential of artificial intelligence to boost customer mission success,” said FLIR VP and General Manager of Sensor Systems, Tim Durham. “FLIR is focused on saving lives and livelihoods [and] these new features extend [system] capability and will help reduce strain on operators during long and challenging missions.”
